7 Surprising Things You Probably Didn’t Know About Assisted Living

If you are reading this post, you may be considering taking your loved one to an assisted living facility, similar to Senior Care Center.

Assisted living is not a new development. They have been around for many years and continues to be an option for many people due to what they offer for seniors.

Life can sometimes get unbearable for seniors. Loneliness, isolation, and lack of social activities can negatively impact their life. At times they are unable to handle simple things such as bathing, dressing, or even shopping. This is where assisted living comes in.

But choosing an assisted living facility can be a daunting task due to the many misconceptions about them. However, it doesn’t have to be that way.

By knowing what to expect from assisted living, you can decide the level of care you’ll need for your loved one.

Read on and learn about some of the more surprising facts about assisted living, you probably didn’t know.

1. They Offer Different Care Levels

When you visit different assisted living facilities, you will notice that each of them provides a unique level of care. Whether your loved one is simply going into senior care facilities for a small amount of care and mostly company, or if your relative needs more frequent care, it’s a great place for them to be.

While assisted living is regulated in all states in the US, no definition defines assisted living nationally.

Different assisted living communities provide different levels of care. Some offer lighter care, while others, depending on their license, care for bedridden individuals as opposed to taking them to a nursing home.

2. They are Different from Nursing Homes

Unlike nursing homes, people taken to assisted living communities are not bedridden.

Assisted homes are not meant to provide care for people who need 24-hour medical care. They are designed for people who are active and moving but simply require a more lenient living space, help with medication, meals, etc.

Nursing homes, on the other hand, are designed to provide 24/7 medical care for people with severe health issues.

3. They Have Unique Layouts

Care aside, the look and appearance of assisted living facilities for seniors vary as well. Some communities provide a home-like design while others have a more formal, traditional layout. Some are smaller while others have large communities that can accommodate more than 100 residents.

Assisted living facilities come in different shapes and sizes. They can be sprawling complexes in the suburbs, apartment buildings in city centers, or more intimate cottages that care for few residents.

The best thing is to visit different communities so you can see the different layouts before deciding on which one is best for your loved one.

4. They Are Affordable

Are you worried about the cost of assisted living? Then you should stop worrying.

Assisted living facilities charge less as opposed to nursing homes or home health care services in the same geographical location.

Besides, the cost of homeownership, including lawn care, utilities, home maintenance, as well as remodeling can pile up. Seniors want to live a simple life with little to take care of every day. If in need of health care services, additional expenses could leave seniors with more than they can handle.

To be safe, start saving as early as possible. Taking insurance or Medicaid can help when looking for assisted living options.

5. They Offer Specialized Dementia Care

Patients who have Alzheimer’s and dementia require special attention as opposed to people who only need assisted living options.

Luckily many assisted living communities care for these patients. They have specially trained staff members to handle situations that arise when caring for dementia patients.

6. They Allow Pets

Pets play a significant role in people’s lives. One of the best things about assisted living is that they allow seniors to take their pets with them.

Different communities have their rules on the kind of animals they allow, so make sure that you speak with them to know the type of pet they allow.

Some communities do pet interviews before deciding whether a particular pet can be a fit in their community, while others only allow pets below 20lbs. Fish and birds are also allowed in some communities.

7. They Are Safe and Secure

Safety and security is a serious concern for most people, especially seniors. You’ll surely not want to take your loved one to a place where their security is not guaranteed.

Assisted living facilities are aware of this, and that’s why they provide 24-hour security to people living in their facility.

They also provide a 24-hour support system where residents can call anytime they need help.